As many of you — especially those who’ve been following my blog for some time — will already know, I have a tendency to grow concerned whenever someone says that something cannot be said, that it may be “offensive” or is in some way “poor form”. Not naturally a person who goes out of his way to cause offence, or to be confrontational, I nevertheless grow suspicious when the aforementioned terms are used in an attempt to dictate, or guide, what others can or cannot express.
So earlier today, during a conversation on Twitter, I found myself once again treading this already familiar path. Chatting to a fellow writer (and very lovely lady) I was pointed to a blog post dealing with some of the don’ts of promotion. The post contained some excellent advice but I was immediately concerned by one point that stipulated a writer should not say anything online — specifically nothing negative about books, other authors and reviewers.
Now, as I’ve already pointed out, I very rarely deliberately set out to trash someone, or to argue publicly with them. Thus far, reviews of If I Never have largely been extremely positive — and I doubt I’d lower myself to argue publicly with a reviewer, anyway. Nevertheless, I can certainly envisage scenarios where I might politely correct certain points, for example, and if the response was offensive, I would certainly pursue the argument (with appropriate dignity, naturally 😉 )
On the matter of not trashing other writers or books in general… well, I’ll always express my honest opinion — and do so as forthrightly as I deem fit. The notion that this might somehow come back and bite me, damage my sales, say, is something I find highly unlikely (the readership I’ve already built up, I feel, expects honesty from me — and if I couch my expressed opinion in strong terms I think they are already familiar enough with me to know that I’ll be doing so with, as I see it, good reason.) However, even if my honesty did threaten the sales of my novel, I tend to feel that — admittedly under exceptional circumstances — I would still speak my mind. Why? Well, quite simply, how could I not? What would that really say about me if I withheld a negative opinion simply because I was afraid it might damage me in some way.
As to how it might affect the author concerned, of course, this is always a consideration. I’ve been around long enough to know how devastating a negative comment can be — and whilst we all have to learn to deal with that, as writers and individuals, I’d only ever pick on someone my own size (or bigger), so to speak.
This isn’t to say that we should all say whatever the hell we like about other people and their work, of course, without giving it careful thought. It’s vital that, where they can, writers support each other — and as a newly published author I’m well aware of how fortunate I am and, whenever possible, try to help others along this pretty demanding path. Generally speaking, if I don’t like a piece of work, I’ll say nothing about it rather than publicly trashing it. But we are writers. By definition, we write, we share ideas, we communicate and, yes, sometimes we argue like cat and dog. Is that a bad thing? Is it healthy creatively to tiptoe around opinions that some might not like?
The very idea that it is “poor form” to contribute to the cut and thrust of “the literary life”, to express an honest (if negative) opinion, simply because “the writing community” or some imagined social convention considers it so is not something I’m prepared to subscribe to. Yes, I take time to consider any response I make, and, where possible, do it as inoffensively as possible.
But I will post online about the books I love and hate, about the writers who inspire me and those who make me despair. On occasion, I might even respond to a negative criticism. And if that’s poor form, then so be it.
A sample chapter of If I Never can be read here.
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Gary William Murning Online 
I agree, as mature thinking people we should be trusted to state our opinions on piece of work or a theory, political, philosophical, whatever, without what we say being a personal insult to the person who created the work or stated the theory. I think that this is where some of the problems between people arise, especially on the net as there may be a lack of the non-verbal communication or cultural differences, etc. So that when someone is challenged they may take it personally rather than welcoming the challenge to help them become better or generate debate and discussion. It is entirely possible to respect a person while disagreeing with what they say or thinking that their creative work lacks quality.
I think you’ve hit the nail on the head, here. Having a very definite opinion on a piece of work, however negative, and expressing it is all too often taken as a personal attack, rather than an opportunity to discuss the point — and even disagree with it. In many respects, I do think the Internet — or people’s inability to maintain the necessary perspective whilst using the medium — plays a part. Something is posted online and it’s read repeatedly by the individual concerned, and, all too often, it becomes disproportionate. We have to do learn to “turn the volume down” and cope with Internet-based criticism more effectively. And, of course, we’ll never do that by simply, as this individual suggested, avoiding it.
As both a writer and reader of many scripts, honesty with constructive feedback is always the best policy… i find. People should always be encouraged to be creative but like anything artistic its all about taste and personal opinion, what you love i may hate. I would rather someone hate my work than find it ‘interesting’.
Couldn’t agree more, Sally. Give me honest disagreement than dishonest agreement any day.
And, of course, outside of the professional/critiquing realm, it would also be quite absurd if we, as writers, felt ourselves somehow forbidden from discussing — as vehemently as we wish — the writers we dislike.
yes, I actually found the two-star amazon review of my book very enlightening as it ran to several paragraphs, it has helped consolodate some of my thoughts for future writing. though I wonder if it was motivated by sour grapes.
I must admit, I’ve been extremely fortunate with reviews, so far. The criticisms I have had, on the whole, missed the point — but even this made me question certain things. Why had they missed the point? Was this a failing on my part or theirs?… My conclusion was that, since the vast majority “got it”, it was probably largely a failing on their part.
I do think it’s important not to treat reviews as if they were critiques by our peers, though. I do give them careful consideration but I don’t want to fall into the trap of trying to write for everyone, you know? Some people will always dislike what I do and, if I’m honest, I’d probably be worried if these individuals didn’t dislike it! 🙂
I agree you can’t write for everyone and wouldn’t want to. With a book like mine – appeals to a niche – that is even more important. I’d like to think that people who aren’t gay would enjoy reading it but that would be a bonus rather than the objective, and I think a lot of readers expected me to want to appeal to the mainstream.
Well, I haven’t read it yet — it’s in my Amazon basket — but, as a straight bloke, I still find it potentially interesting enough from what I’ve read about it to want to buy it. And before anyone responds with smart arse comments, don’t! LOL